This is my “go-to” granola bar recipe! For this batch, I chose to make Almond Butter White Chocolate Granola Bars with Dried Cranberries. I thought they’d taste great and the red and white felt perfect for Valentine’s Day. All you need is a microwave to ‘bake’ these…so simple. They stay chewy and the recipe is versatile. I’ve included lots of alternative ingredient ideas in the recipe so you can adjust them for your taste. The base is simple and it’s hard to go wrong with cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats!

Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with non-stick spray.

Start by adding the light corn syrup, nut butter, and packed brown sugar in a large microwave safe bowl.

Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 1 more minute. Stir ingredients to combine. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt and stir.

Next, add the oats and chia seeds. Combine.

Gently stir in the rice krispy cereal and the dried cranberries.

Quickly fold in the white chocolate chips and pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Don’t take too long or the chocolate chips will start to melt. Use a spatula or your hands to firmly press the granola into the pan.

Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour until the bars have set. Remove from pan and slice into bars. Mine made 10 standard sized granola bars.

Prepare an 8-by-8-inch baking pan by lining it with foil leaving overhang, spray with cooking spray; set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine corn syrup , almond butter, brown sugar, and heat on high power for 1 minute; stir to combine mixture. Heat for 1 more minute on high power and stir to combine.

Add vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and stir to combine. Add oats, chia seeds, and stir to combine. Add rice cereal and gently stir to combine so it doesn’t become too crushed. Add the cranberries and fold to incorporate. Add the white chocolate chips and quickly and gently fold to combine so chips don’t begin to melt. Pour mixture into prepared pan and pack it down firmly with a spatula or hands, and place pan in the freezer for at least 1 hour, or until bars have set up.

Slice bars into desired sizes and shapes; I prefer 10 bars cut into rectangles about 4-inches long by about 3/4-inch wide. Choose any shape and size desired. Bars will keep in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

#choosejoy

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http://fitsickle.com fitsickle

These look amazing!! Love the Valentine’s idea Thanks for the recipe!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Thanks!! Theyre so good!!

http://runeatsparkle.wordpress.com had2run

As always your blog rocks. I am definitely going to make these. I look forward to reading your blog everyday!!!! You are doing a great job

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Thanks so much for your encouragement and i hope you like the granola bars!!!

http://www.minutespermile.com mary @ minutes per mile

i’ve been on the hunt for a new granola bar recipe! great idea!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Oh good!! Hopefully youll like these:)

http://www.runningnreading.com Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading

Oooooooh, these look so tasty! Thanks for posting the recipe, Jen!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Thanks!!!

suzysuzyheather

My biggest problem is finding a granola bar recipe that doesn’t have nut butter in it. Any ideas of what I could substitute the nut butter with?

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

How about Biscoff Cookie Spread?

suzysuzyheather

Thanks, Jen. I haven’t heard of it but I’ll look it up. I hope they have it up here in Canada! If not, I can make these for breakfast and have the kids eat them at home instead (school is nut-free).

http://leerunsdistances.wordpress.com FLRunnerBoy

This one is a WINNER!!! Thanks for the Wednesday recipe Jen!!!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Im so glad you like it!!!

http://crazyrunnerblog.wordpress.com joannaraines

Yum!!! Did you know today is national granola bar day?? Perfect timing!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

I did!! I love that you know that, too:)

Amy

Hi! I found your blog yesterday and I’ve been enjoying catching up on some of your posts I’m so happy I found a blog of someone in my area (I live in West TN). You are an amazing runner! And, this recipe looks so good! Have a good day!

I made these last night and had one this morning. They are very good. I didn’t have almond butter so I used half cashew butter and half peanut butter. Added dried apricot bits too. I will definitely be making these again and using other options of nut butters and add ins. Thanks for a great recipe!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Im so glad you liked it!! Its such a flexible recipe and a great way to use what you have on-hand:)

Sandra Lee

Great recipe! I subbed almond extract for vanilla and used tart dried cherries and it was so delish. Thanks for posting!

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